Dernières nouvelles pour Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) Stock

HOULIHAN LOKEY INC

Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey Inc is an investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, valuation, and strategic consulting. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments world-wide with offices in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. The company operates in three segments. In the Corporate Finance business segment, it provides M&A and capital markets advisory services. Through the Financial Restructuring business segment, the company advises on some of the complex restructurings around the world. The Financial and Valuation Advisory Services business segment provides valuation and financial opinion, and financial and strategic consulting practices in the United States.

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. Class A Common Stock

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Helical PLC

Helia Group Ltd

Helios Technologies Inc

Harmonic Inc

Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is planning to roll out features that allow users to trade and invest directly from the app, according to CEO Linda Yaccarino.
What Happened: On Thursday, in an <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/3615dfe2-f739-44f7-9823-a8acce6c0380">interview</a> with the Financial Times, Yaccarino unveiled the company&#8217;s roadmap, which includes everything from peer-to-peer payments and tipping to buying and trading stocks, and even X-branded credit and debit cards by the end of this year.
&#8220;You'll be able to come to X and be able to transact your whole financial life on the platform,&#8221; Yaccarino said at the Cannes Lions advertising festival this week.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46019223/elon-musks-x-faces-scrutiny-by-european-watchdogs-after-33-billion-acquisition-by-xai-platform-could-face-fine-ban-in-the-eu">Elon Musk&#8217;s X Faces Scrutiny By European Watchdogs After $33 Billion Acquisition By xAI — Platform Could Face Fine, Ban In The EU</a>
Yaccarino believes that given the platform&#8217;s massive user base, &#8220;a whole commerce ecosystem and a financial ecosystem is going to emerge,&#8221; which does not exist today.
This comes at a rather precarious time for the company, which has bled advertising dollars and clashed with marketers over content safety in recent months. 
When asked about the company threatening brands with lawsuits for not advertising on X, Yaccarino dismissed it as &#8220;hearsay,&#8221; adding that it was all from &#8220;unnamed sources, and random third-party commenters.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">BREAKING: X will soon launch investing and trading directly within the app, per FT. "You'll be able to come to X and be able to transact your whole financial life on the platform," X CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/lindayaX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lindayaX</a> says. X is the future of finance. <a href="https://t.co/oRE3WvmR0C">pic.twitter.com/oRE3WvmR0C</a>
&mdash; The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) <a href="https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1935678354281349179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: This expansion of X into financial services is expected to intensify pressure on incumbents such as Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>), SoFi Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), and Block Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) Cash App.
Payments strategist Dwayne Gefferie sees a familiar pattern playing out. Just like &#8220;the auto industry waited on Tesla and aerospace waited on SpaceX,&#8221; he says, today's payment giants are standing still while Musk takes the lead with X Money.
&#8220;They'll wait to see if X Money succeeds, and when it does work, they'll scramble to react,&#8221; he says, adding that the real question is &#8220;why no one else in payments is taking this kind of risk.&#8221;
Early this month, xAI, which owns X, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/social-media/25/06/45738963/elon-musks-xai-targets-113-billion-valuation-with-300-million-share-sale-report">targeted a valuation</a> of $113 billion while pursuing a $300 million share sale. In March, the transaction involving xAI&#8217;s acquisition of X, pegged the social media platform&#8217;s valuation at $33 billion, falling short of the $44 billion that Musk paid for it in 2022.
Price Action: Robinhood shares were up 4.54% on Thursday, trading at $78.35, and are up 0.28% after hours.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="146" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20005128/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-10.21.15-AM-1024x146.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955421" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20005128/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-10.21.15-AM-1024x146.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20005128/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-10.21.15-AM-300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20005128/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-10.21.15-AM-768x110.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20005128/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-10.21.15-AM.png 1526w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Shares of Robinhood Markets show strong Growth and Momentum, while having a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights on the stock, and how it compares with competitors such as Sofi. 
Photo Courtesy: Mamun_Sheikh on Shutterstock.com
Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46019178/why-metas-superintelligence-project-lead-alexandr-wang-says-it-is-a-strange-time-to-be-a-scientist">Why Meta&#8217;s &#8216;Superintelligence&#8217; Project Lead Alexandr Wang Says It Is A Strange Time To Be A Scientist</a></li>
</ul>

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

News

Financing

Markets

HOOD

SOFI

Elon Musk's X Plans To Launch In-App Stock Trading To Challenge Robinhood, SoFi — CEO Says You'll 'Whole Financial Life' Could Be On The Platform

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk says that the EV giant is working closely with the billionaire's AI venture xAI, which works on the AI model Grok.
What Happened: "Tesla works closely with xAI," Musk said at an interview with Y Combinator on Thursday. The billionaire also highlighted the increasing number of humanoid robot startups currently working on robotics.
"Part of what I have been fighting and what has slowed me down a little bit is that I don't want to make Terminator real," Musk said before adding that he had been dragging his feet on AI. However, he also outlined that Robotics is continuing to grow today.
"I sort of came to the realization that it&#8217;s happening whether I do it or not. So you can either be a spectator or a participant. I&#8217;d rather be a participant," he said. Musk also shared that it's "pedal to the metal" for him and his companies on AI and humanoid robotics.
Why It Matters: The comments from Musk come in as xAI faces scrutiny over its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46019223/elon-musks-x-faces-scrutiny-by-european-watchdogs-after-33-billion-acquisition-by-xai-platform-could-face-fine-ban-in-the-eu">$33 billion acquisition</a> of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, from authorities in the EU. The platform could also be banned in the region.
Musk has been a vocal advocate for humanoid robots, stating that the technology will <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/05/45710538/elon-musk-says-humanoid-robots-will-start-impacting-countries-gdps-in-4-to-5-years-robot-cars-even-sooner-in-just-1-to-2-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">impact countries' GDPs</a> within the next 4 to 5 years.
Elsewhere, Tesla is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated Robotaxi in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45854273/elon-musks-tesla-officially-named-av-operator-in-austin-ahead-of-robotaxi-launch">Austin on June 22</a>. However, some Texas lawmakers have urged Musk&#8217;s company to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46010756/texas-lawmakers-urge-elon-musks-tesla-to-delay-june-22-robotaxi-launch-till-september-report">delay the launch</a>, citing changes to regulations that will take effect from September 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="202" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025-1024x202.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-955410" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025-1024x202.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025-300x59.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025-768x152.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025-1536x303.jpg 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20003239/tsla-jun-20-2025.jpg 1566w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Tesla scores well on Momentum, Quality and Growth metrics, but offers poor Value. For more such insights, sign up for<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"> Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a> today!
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: JRdes / Shutterstock.com

Tech

TSLA

Elon Musk Says Tesla Works Closely With xAI: 'You Can Either Be A Spectator…'

Goldman Sachs says President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful" spending-and-tariff plan would do little to slow a debt load already racing toward levels last seen at the end of World War II, warning that interest costs alone will top $1 trillion next year.
In a note to clients, Goldman Sachs economists Manuel Abecasis, David Mericle, and Alec Phillips stated that the bill slightly reduces the primary deficit but leaves overall borrowing "on much steeper trajectories," <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/06/19/goldman-sachs-says-trumps-spending-plan-wont-stop-the-national-debt-from-hitting-unsustainable-highs-not-seen-since-world-war-ii/">reported</a> Fortune.
"The debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching the post-WWII high, and much higher real interest rates have put debt and interest expense … on much steeper trajectories than appeared likely last cycle," they wrote. Public debt already equals <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759664/trump-investigates-u-s-debt-for-fraud-suggests-treasury-payments-might-not-count">roughly 120% of GDP</a>, according to the U.S. Treasury.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects Washington will spend more servicing debt in 2026 than on Medicare or the Pentagon — $1 trillion a year, second only to Social Security. Goldman says that pace could force a historic austerity drive if Congress waits too long to cut spending or raise taxes.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46019079/trump-once-said-he-made-juneteenth-very-famous-but-now-hes-unhappy-about-too-many-non-working-holidays-says-its-costing-america-billions">Trump Once Said He Made Juneteenth &#8216;Very Famous&#8217; But Now He&#8217;s Unhappy About &#8216;Too Many&#8217; Non-Working Holidays, Says Its Costing America Billions</a>
Why It Matters: Elevated Treasury yields, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/treasuries/25/06/45798569/think-5-yields-will-crush-stock-market-goldman-sachs-says-think-again">held near 4.4%</a> as investors brace for higher-for-longer Fed policy, compound the burden.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the House-passed bill, which extends most 2017 tax cuts, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/06/39400726/us-budget-crunch-cbo-warns-federal-interest-costs-now-higher-than-defense-spending-deficits-to-remai">would widen deficits</a> to $2.9 trillion over 10 years. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calls it a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44396136/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-calls-himself-a-deficit-hawk-but-has-to-coax-gop-against-aggressive-cuts-says-he-is-completely-aligned-with-elon-musk-on-doge">spending problem</a>&#8221; and not a &#8220;revenue problem,&#8221; but Goldman's team counters that stabilizing debt "would require running persistent fiscal surpluses of a size seldom sustained historically.&#8221;
Failure to act, they added, risks leaving future lawmakers only unpalatable choices. These include painful spending cuts, sweeping tax hikes, or printing money — an approach that once led Germany's Weimar Republic to ruinous hyperinflation after the first World War.
Photo Courtesy: patpitchaya on Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46019223/elon-musks-x-faces-scrutiny-by-european-watchdogs-after-33-billion-acquisition-by-xai-platform-could-face-fine-ban-in-the-eu">Elon Musk&#8217;s X Faces Scrutiny By European Watchdogs After $33 Billion Acquisition By xAI — Platform Could Face Fine, Ban In The EU</a>

Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Bill Trims Deficit Slightly But Keeps Borrowing On 'Much Steeper' World War II-Era Trajectory, Says Goldman Sachs

President Donald Trump-linked company DT Marks DeFi LLC has reduced&nbsp;its stake in World Liberty&nbsp;Financial, a cryptocurrency project backed by the U.S. first family.
What Happened: According to World Liberty&#8217;s <a href="https://worldlibertyfinancial.com/about">website</a>, DT Marks DeFi holds a 40% equity interest&nbsp;in the holding firm behind&nbsp;World Liberty Financial, marking&nbsp;a 20-point reduction <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45160707/eric-trump-says-world-libertys-stablecoin-will-be-used-to-close-a-2-billion-deal-dollar-token-to-also-get-integrated-with-justin-suns-tron-blockchain">from the&nbsp;60% stake</a> it held previously. 
Forbes <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2025/06/19/trump-company-reduces-its-stake-in-crypto-venture/">reported </a>that the stake reduction was carried out quietly. It said that DT Marks Defi&nbsp;held a 75% interest in&nbsp;World Liberty Financial at the end of December, citing a financial disclosure.
The company also holds World Liberty Financial&#8217;s governance token WLFI and is &#8220;entitled&#8221; to receive 75% of the proceeds generated through the sale of the token.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/g46014503/za-miner-launches-zero-cost-cloud-mining-platform-with-daily-crypto-rewards-and-referral-bonuses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZA Miner Launches Zero-Cost Cloud Mining Platform With Daily Crypto Rewards and Referral Bonuses</a>
World Liberty Financial didn&#8217;t immediately return Benzinga&#8217;s request for comment.
Why It Matters: World Liberty Financial was launched last year and has been a significant source of income for the Trump family. According to the president's latest financial disclosure, it earned him $57.4 million last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45939551/trump-made-57-4-million-from-family-crypto-firm-plus-big-bucks-from-branded-guitars-sneakers-and-watches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positioning it as one of his primary sources of income</a>.
Donald Trump Jr. said that his father <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45966444/donald-trump-jr-says-his-father-doesnt-touch-the-family-backed-crypto-company-despite-disclosure-of-57-million-income">doesn&#8217;t get involved</a> with the venture and it&#8217;s &#8220;all walled off.&#8221;
World Liberty Financial has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41395007/trump-affiliated-entity-will-get-75-of-world-liberty-financials-revenue-and-22-of-wlfi-tok">focused on promoting</a> dollar-backed stablecoins and decentralized finance applications. The project is inspired by Trump, although the disclaimer states that none of its offerings are political or related to any political campaign.
Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;three sons, Donald Jr., Eric,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Barron, are listed as the co-founders. Earlier this year, it launched a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/05/45160707/eric-trump-says-world-libertys-stablecoin-will-be-used-to-close-a-2-billion-deal-dollar-token-to-also-get-integrated-with-justin-suns-tron-blockchain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dollar-pegged stablecoin</a>,&nbsp;World Liberty Financial&nbsp;USD (USD1), on Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) and BNB Chain (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bnb/usd">BNB</a>).
Read Next:&nbsp;
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45966444/donald-trump-jr-says-his-father-doesnt-touch-the-family-backed-crypto-company-despite-discl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump Jr. Says His Father &#8216;Doesn&#8217;t Touch&#8217; The Family-Backed Crypto Company Despite Disclosure Of $57 Million Income</a></li>
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Photo Courtesy: Kirill Aleksandrovich on Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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$BNB

$ETH

Trump-Connected Company Pulls Back From Family Crypto Business

While Bitcoin offered little for volatility-loving traders on Thursday, its cheaper offshoots kept the market interested.
What happened: Bitcoin Cash rallied over 7% to become the market's third-biggest gainer over the last 24 hours. Trading volume for the cryptocurrency soared 77% to $733 million, indicating high liquidity and trader interest.
The latest spike extended BCH's weekly gains to 23%
Additionally, Bitcoin SV popped 4.40% in the 24-hour period, taking its weekly returns to 8.32%.
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<tbody>
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<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>24-Hour Gains +/-</td>
<td>7-Day Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 11:00 p.m. ET)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin Cash (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/bch/usd">BCH</a>)</td>
<td>+7.62%</td>
<td>23.48%</td>
<td>$494.85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin SV (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">BSV</a>)</td>
<td>+4.40%</td>
<td>8.32%</td>
<td>$31.91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-0.21%</td>
<td>+0.89</td>
<td>$104,622.27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
In contrast, Bitcoin remained range-bound, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/06/46018884/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-rangebound-as-white-house-says-decision-on-iran-israel-conflict-in-two-weeks-analyst-says-this-is-the-right-combination-for-bullish-btc-momentum-to-retur">appeared to be a drag</a>. The apex cryptocurrency gained only 0.89% in the last week.
Why It Matters: It's worth mentioning that Bitcoin SV was created from the hard fork of the Bitcoin Cash blockchain in 2018, which had split from the original Bitcoin network a year ago due to community disagreements over Bitcoin scaling.
Bitcoin traded at around $104,600 as of this writing. The high price could make holding one full Bitcoin a bit challenging, especially for retail investors, although they can always obtain exposure by making fractional purchases.
However, BCH and BSV were priced significantly lower, potentially making them &#8220;cheaper plays&#8221; of Bitcoin.
Photo Courtesy: PeopleImages.com &#8211; Yuri A On Shutterstock.com
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Movers

Trading Ideas

$BCH

$BSV

$BTC

These Cheap Bitcoin Plays Are Spiking As BTC Struggles Amid Rising Geopolitical Heat

European regulators are examining structural changes at Elon Musk's social media platform X <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/03/44549314/elon-musk-acquires-his-own-social-media-platform-x-through-xai-in-33-billion-deal-says-combined-entity-now-worth-80-billion">following its acquisition</a> by xAI.
What Happened: On Thursday, the EU announced that it was closely monitoring changes in the corporate structure of X, formerly Twitter, following a $33 billion acquisition by Grok-parent xAI, reported Reuters.
"We are following closely changes in the corporate structure of X, as we would changes in any other designated platform," said a spokesperson for the European Commission.
Although the EU did not confirm whether a fine is imminent, earlier it was reported that regulators are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44661399/eu-reportedly-set-to-fine-elon-musks-x-over-1-billion-for-violating-new-digital-act-x-labels-it-an-unprecedented-act-of-political-censorship">weighing enforcement actions</a> under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It's Important: Earlier this month, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45827116/elon-musks-social-media-platform-x-scrambles-to-highlight-blue-check-disclaimer-amid-eu-fine-threat-report">X added a disclaimer to its blue checkmark</a> system, a move widely seen as an attempt to preempt further penalties after the EU's preliminary finding in July 2024 accused the platform of deceptive design.
Previously, a commission spokesperson said that their investigation related to the blue checkmark was ongoing.
If found in violation, X could face fines of up to 6% of global revenue or, in extreme cases, a ban from operating in the EU.
Since buying Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, Musk has introduced major changes, particularly around monetization. These include launching the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/31948236/heres-how-many-months-elon-musk-could-pay-for-every-twitter-peasant-to-have-a-blue-checkmark">Twitter Blue subscription</a>, which offers features like blue checkmarks.
Musk also removed legacy blue checkmarks, requiring users to pay for verification. &#8220;Twitter's current lords &amp; peasants system for who has or doesn't have a blue checkmark is bu&#x2A;&#x2A;sh&#x2A;t. Power to the people! Blue for $8/month,&#8221; he said in 2022.
Photo Courtesy: JRdes on Shuttertsock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

Elon Musk's X Faces Scrutiny By European Watchdogs After $33 Billion Acquisition By xAI — Platform Could Face Fine, Ban In The EU

Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old Scale AI founder now heading to Meta Platforms&#8217; (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) new "super-intelligence" lab says artificial-intelligence models already possess insights that science cannot match and that makes it &#8220;a strange time to be a scientist, but an exciting time for science.&#8221;
What Happened: Wang told a Y Combinator audience the advantage is clearest in biology, where &#8220;there's probably intuitions that the models have about biology that humans don't even have because they have this different form of intelligence.&#8221;
He narrated a story that predicted AI systems will soon run "all the frontiers of R&amp;D," leaving human researchers to "look at the discoveries the AIs make and try to understand them."
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Alexandr Wang: Building Scale AI, Transforming Work With Agents &amp; Competing With China" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5noIKN8t69U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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The comments arrive days after Meta <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45919069/meta-invests-in-scale-ai-at-29-billion-valuation-taps-ceo-alexandr-wang-to-drive-internal-ai-push-as-part-of-deepening-partnership">paid about $14 billion</a> for a 49% stake in Scale and hired Wang to accelerate Mark Zuckerberg's push for artificial general intelligence. 
Meta's move follows a wider trend. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google unveiled a Gemini-powered "AI co-scientist" in February aimed at speeding biomedical breakthroughs. Academic work already shows AI models outperforming humans on protein-folding and genetic-sequence tasks, raising hopes for faster drug discovery.
"Areas like biology will fuel breakthroughs in medicine and healthcare," Wang said, adding that the rest of the economy will "chug along giving humans what they want."
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45965406/metas-superintelligence-lab-hire-alexandr-wang-says-hell-wait-for-elon-musks-neuralink-before-having-kids-heres-why">Meta&#8217;s &#8216;Superintelligence&#8217; Lab Hire Alexandr Wang Says He&#8217;ll Wait for Elon Musk&#8217;s Neuralink Before Having Kids — Here&#8217;s Why</a>
Why It Matters: Venture investors share that view. CB Insights counts 370 AI-biology startups worth a combined $60 billion, up 28% from 2023.
Meanwhile, Wang's arrival at Meta hihglights the company's escalating talent hunt. Reuters reported Meta recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/45988600/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-dangled-100-million-signing-bonuses-to-openai-team-members-says-sam-altman-happy-none-of-our-best-people-took-them">dangled $100 million</a> signing bonuses to lure OpenAI staff. Y Combinator president Garry Tan called Wang "an inspiration to the next generation of founders" in a post on X.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Alexandr Wang has come a long way, from presenting Scale at Demo Day to being an inspiration to the next generation of founders everywhere At YC, we salute you <a href="https://twitter.com/alexandr_wang?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alexandr_wang</a> and can't wait to see what's next from Meta with your leadership <a href="https://t.co/mTvcIjZmA0">https://t.co/mTvcIjZmA0</a> <a href="https://t.co/2YHhbJdpsG">pic.twitter.com/2YHhbJdpsG</a>
&mdash; Garry Tan (@garrytan) <a href="https://twitter.com/garrytan/status/1935338335289200647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Even though critics warn dual-use risks rise as models master bio-engineering, prompting calls for guardrails even inside Meta's lab, Wang argues embracing the shift is essential.
Photo Courtesy: Gorodenkoff on Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/46014776/he-makes-150k-she-makes-63k-so-why-did-they-use-a-heloc-to-pay-off-his-45k-debt-suze-orman-weighs-in">He Makes $150K, She Makes $63K — So Why Did They Use A HELOC To Pay Off His $45K Debt? Suze Orman Weighs In</a>

GOOG

GOOGL

Why Meta's 'Superintelligence' Project Lead Alexandr Wang Says It Is A Strange Time To Be A Scientist

On Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced sweeping new plans aimed at protecting Canadian metal producers. 
What Happened: These plans include counter-tariffs on American steel and aluminum if no trade agreement is reached between the two nations before July 21.
&#8220;We will take the time we need to negotiate the best deal for Canada, but no longer,&#8221; Carney said, according to a news release by the Canadian Department of Finance. &#8220;In parallel, we are ensuring that workers and industries are protected from the unjust U.S. tariffs.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46019079/trump-once-said-he-made-juneteenth-very-famous-but-now-hes-unhappy-about-too-many-non-working-holidays-says-its-costing-america-billions">Trump Once Said He Made Juneteenth &#8216;Very Famous&#8217; But Now He&#8217;s Unhappy About &#8216;Too Many&#8217; Non-Working Holidays, Says Its Costing America Billions</a>
The measures unveiled by Canada&#8217;s Finance Minister, François-Philippe Champagne, include a tariff rate quota system capping 2025 steel imports from non-FTA countries at 2024 levels. This is essentially a cap on how much steel Canada will allow from countries with whom it does not have a free-trade agreement. 
The government is also imposing reciprocal procurement policies beginning June 30, which effectively shut out U.S.-based suppliers from federal contracts unless reciprocal access is granted for Canadian companies in U.S. federal contracts.
&#8220;Canadian workers and industries can count on us,&#8221; Champagne said. &#8220;We are taking strong, targeted action to respond to the unjust American tariffs.&#8221;
Other moves include restrictions on U.S. access to Canadian government contracts starting June 30, as well as stricter rules around where foreign steel and aluminum were originally produced. The government will also expand oversight through new industry task forces and maintain a $10 billion loan facility to support companies affected by the tariffs.
The government further plans measures to address the risks of overcapacity and unfair trade practices in the steel and aluminum industries, which it says have been exacerbated by U.S. actions.
These measures come weeks after President Donald Trump&#8217;s decision earlier this month to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/05/45708977/trump-doubles-steel-tariffs-to-50-saying-it-will-secure-american-jobs-backs-us-steels-takeover-by-japans-nippon">double the tariffs</a> on U.S. steel imports to 50%. 
Why It Matters: This comes amid growing warnings from experts that the tariffs on steel and aluminum <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/06/45766967/us-aluminum-tariffs-risk-supply-chain-and-food-security-industry-insiders-warn">will suppress demand</a> across the continent. 
According to Jean Simard, President of the Aluminum Association of Canada (AAC), &#8220;It [the tariffs] will impact workers on both sides of the border and disrupt key sectors including defense, construction, and automotive.&#8221;
Analysts have been quick to point out the impact the tariffs are set to have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45841311/trumps-steel-tariffs-hits-straight-on-fords-core-analyst-sees-higher-input-costs-and-eroding-pricing-power-for-tesla-rival">on American automakers</a>, especially Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), which Alex Tsepaev, the chief strategy officer at B2PRIME Group, blames on the company&#8217;s U.S.-centric manufacturing.
&#8220;A 50% tariff could inflate COGS significantly just as pricing power erodes in both EV and ICE segments,&#8221; Tsepaev told Benzinga. 
Photo Courtesy: Lightspring on Shutterstock.com
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</ul>

Canada Threatens Higher Tariffs On US Steel, Aluminum If No Deal Is Reached By July 21, Mark Carney Says He's Ensuring Protection Against 'Unjust' US Levies

President Donald Trump criticized the growing number of federal holidays and their economic cost in a post on Truth Social. Notably, his comments came on the Juneteenth holiday. What Happened: Trump took to his platform to air his frustrations about federal holidays. The president, however, did not post any message commemorating the holiday associated with the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
&#8220;Too many non-working holidays in America,&#8221; he posted, adding, &#8220;It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either!&#8221;
&#8220;It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,&#8221; he concluded.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46018778/kevin-oleary-once-said-that-business-school-graduates-know-nothing-until-the-real-world-smacks-them-something-he-learned-the-hard-way-now-he-can-spot-a-winner-in-15-minutes-flat">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Once Said That Business School Graduates Know Nothing Until The Real World Smacks Them, Something He Learned The Hard Way— Now He Can Spot A Winner In 15 Minutes Flat</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19220150/Screenshot-2025-06-20-at-7.31.45%E2%80%AFAM-1024x462.png" alt="" class="wp-image-955353" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Truth Social</figcaption></figure>
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said, "I'm not tracking his [Trump] signature on a proclamation today." She thanked reporters for working despite the holiday, adding, "We are certainly here. We are working 24/7 right now."
Why It's Important: Trump's silence on Juneteenth and criticism of federal holidays mark a stark departure from his first term.
In 2020, Trump claimed responsibility for raising national awareness of Juneteenth and even included the idea of making it a federal holiday in his campaign messaging.
"I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous," he <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-talks-juneteenth-john-bolton-economy-in-wsj-interview-11592493771">told</a> the Wall Street Journal, after facing backlash for planning a campaign rally on June 19 of that year. "It's actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it." Photo courtesy: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com
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</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Government

Trump Once Said He Made Juneteenth 'Very Famous' But Now He's Unhappy About 'Too Many' Non-Working Holidays, Says Its Costing America Billions

Leading cryptocurrencies moved sideways on Thursday as investors considered America&#8217;s involvement in the Israel-Iran war.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>-0.26%</td>
<td>$104,535.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.04%</td>
<td>$2,520.74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>-0.43%</td>
<td>$0.1702</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: Bitcoin continued to oscillate in the $104,000-$105,000 range, with trading volumes remaining thin in the last 24 hours.
Ethereum bulls were also left disappointed, as the second-largest cryptocurrency faced resistance at $2,540.
Bitcoin's market dominance hit 64%, while Ethereum's share rose to 9.4%.
About $81 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with long liquidations accounting for $46.58 million.
Bitcoin&#8217;s Open Interest dipped 0.24% in the last 24 hours to $69.19 billion. Since the beginning of June, the Open Interest has fallen by 3.6%.
More than 50% of Binance traders with open BTC positions were positioned long as of this writing, according to the Long/Short ratio.
The market sentiment flipped from "Greed" to "Neutral," according to the Crypto Fear &amp; Greed Index.
Top Gainers (24 Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Cryptocurrency</th>
<th>Gains +/-</th>
<th>Price (Recorded at 9:20 p.m. ET)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Story (IP)</td>
<td>+9.58%</td>
<td>$3.03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OKB (OKB) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+8.92%</td>
<td>$52.69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sei (SEI)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+8.81%</td>
<td>$0.1962 </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $3.25 trillion, following a modest decrease of 0.42% in the last 24 hours.
Stock market futures slid overnight on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures fell 138 points, or 0.32%, as of 8:45 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures tied to the S&amp;P 500 dipped 0.25%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures lost 0.21%.
Investors remained anxious about the ongoing Iran-Israel war and potential U.S. involvement, as the White House <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRgNQ24xHhc">told </a>reporters that President Donald Trump would "make a decision within two weeks."
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq were closed on Thursday in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Trading will resume as normal on Friday.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: On-chain analytics firm Santiment highlighted that the number of Bitcoin wallets holding more than 10 BTC rose 0.15% in the last 10 days, while those with 0.001 to 10 BTC declined 0.15% in as many days.
"When large wallets accumulate as retail loses confidence, this is historically the right combination for bullish momentum to inevitably return to crypto markets," Santiment added.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">&#x1f4ca; Bitcoin&#39;s elite vs. mortal wallets are moving in two different directions as its market value sits just north of $104.3K. &#x1f433; Wallets with 10+ <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>: +231 Wallets in 10 Days (+0.15%) &#x1f990; Wallets with 0.001 to 10 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a>: -37,465 Wallets in 10 Days (+0.15%) When large wallets… <a href="https://t.co/uhZf6rPYvq">pic.twitter.com/uhZf6rPYvq</a>
&mdash; Santiment (@santimentfeed) <a href="https://twitter.com/santimentfeed/status/1935810125656191139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Widely followed cryptocurrency analyst and trader Michaël van de Poppe said Bitcoin was back to its "normal trading game" after the FOMC meeting<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/management/25/06/46011739/jerome-powell-led-fed-has-left-interest-rate-unchanged-what-does-it-mean-for-savings-mortgages-credit-cards-and-your-bank-account"> offered nothing substantial</a>.
"I suppose we&#8217;ll see a test of $106,000 and breakout north in the coming days," Van De Poppe predicted.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">FOMC show is over, which was a nothing burger, means that we&#39;re back into the normal trading game for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a>. I suppose we&#39;ll see a test of $106K and breakout north in the coming days. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Altcoins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Altcoins</a> are, again, outperforming. <a href="https://t.co/xdY16BxA9Z">pic.twitter.com/xdY16BxA9Z</a>
&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/1935636347416461644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Photo Courtesy: Yalcin Sonat On Shutterstock.com
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$DOGE

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Rangebound As White House Says Decision On Iran-Israel Conflict In Two Weeks: Analyst Says This Is The 'Right Combination' For Bullish BTC Momentum To Return

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified Israel&#8217;s position regarding Iran&#8217;s leadership amidst escalating tensions. This comes as the international community closely monitors the situation.
What Happened: Netanyahu stated on Thursday that while Israel&#8217;s military actions against Iran are not aimed at changing its leadership, such a change could occur as a consequence. 
&#8220;The matter of changing the regime or the fall of this regime is first and foremost a matter for the Iranian people,&#8221; said Netanyahu, according to the report.&#8221;
On the question of regime change, the Israeli leader said, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t present it as a goal. It could be a result, but it&#8217;s not a stated or formal goal that we have.&#8221;
He further stated that Israel possesses the capability to eliminate all of Iran&#8217;s nuclear sites, regardless of U.S. involvement.
Netanyahu&#8217;s comments come as the White House awaits President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8216;s decision on whether to participate in potential military actions. Military experts suggest that U.S. assistance, particularly with bunker-busting bombs, might be necessary to target Iran&#8217;s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Netanyahu noted that while Israel can independently target Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities, the decision for U.S. involvement rests with President Trump.
On Wednesday, Trump remarked that the U.S. has the capability to dismantle Fordow but has not committed to taking action.
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/45983442/fox-business-host-admits-if-you-deport-everybody-whos-here-illegally-that-would-decimate-some-industr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fox Business Host Admits: &#8216;If You Deport Everybody Who&#8217;s Here Illegally, That Would Decimate Some Industries&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46010064/ayatollah-assassination-discussion-rejected-by-putin-i-do-not-even-want-to-discuss-this-possibility">firmly rejected</a> any discussions about the potential assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader, emphasizing the unity of the Iranian people around their leaders. This highlights the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding Iran&#8217;s leadership.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Trump gave Iran a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/46017426/trump-gives-iran-2-weeks-to-strike-a-deal-or-face-us-military-action">two-week ultimatum</a> to strike a deal or face possible U.S. military action, leaving the door open for negotiations. This adds pressure on Iran amidst the ongoing tensions.
Earlier, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Israel&#8217;s military actions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45988135/bernie-sanders-slams-israels-illegal-attack-on-iran-says-absolutely-imperative-that-the-united-states-not-be-dragged-into-this-war">describing them as illegal</a> and urging the U.S. to avoid being drawn into the conflict. Sanders&#8217; comments underscore the potential impact on U.S.-Iran relations and international diplomacy.
Photo Courtesy: paparazzza on Shutterstock.com
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Benjamin Netanyahu Says He Didn't Present Regime Change As A 'Goal' In Iran, But It Could Be The 'Result'

Shark Tank star and investor Kevin O'Leary once remarked on how real-world experience—not business school—shaped his instincts, allowing him to size up entrepreneurs with near-perfect accuracy.
What Happened: In a 2019 episode of Behind the Brand with Bryan Elliott, O'Leary was asked whether entrepreneurs are born or can entrepreneurship be learned? And how does he judge someone, beyond just their business numbers?
In response, O'Leary told a story from when he was finishing his MBA. A guest lecturer came into class and told them bluntly that the real world would be far tougher than they expected.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45433850/mr-wonderful-kevin-oleary-says-youre-literally-giving-away-money-to-billers-by-not-doing-this-one-simple-thing-and-hes-been-doing-it-for-decades">Mr Wonderful Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says You&#8217;re Literally Giving Away Money To Billers By Not Doing This One Simple Thing — And He&#8217;s Been Doing It For Decades</a>
According to the speaker, a third of the class would fail, another third would stagnate and only a small portion would find real success.
At the time, O'Leary thought the speaker was arrogant and wrong, but now, decades later, after building his career and becoming an investor, he said, "Today, I'm that guy… he was absolutely right."
O'Leary, who is also known as Mr Wonderful, went on to explain that experience builds something far more valuable than theory: intuition.
"Intuition is just experience distilled," he stated, adding, "I can sit in a room with somebody for 15 minutes and know if I&#8217;ve got a winner or not and 99% of the time I&#8217;m right so I listen to the gut and I listen to the person I listen to the plan I know it&#8217;s gonna work or it isn&#8217;t I just know I&#8217;m that good."
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Why you&#039;re NOT getting rich yet &#x7C; Kevin O&#039;leary" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EPT5_RMSO_U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
Why It's Important: According to Celebrity Net <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/ceos/kevin-oleary-net-worth/">Worth</a>, O'Leary currently has a net worth of $400 million.
O'Leary has invested over $8.5 million in 40 companies on the show, with some big wins, but also some painful losses, <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/investors/kevin-oleary-net-worth">reported</a> The Street earlier this year.
One of his worst investments cost him $500,000 after he ignored his instincts and backed a telecom startup that quickly burned through the funds.
Despite red flags and an uneasy feeling, O'Leary reinvested because he liked the founder — a decision he now regrets. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42935505/kevin-olearys-worst-shark-tank-investment-ever-cost-him-500000-because-he-ignored-the-red-flags-the-lesson-is-listen-to-your-gut">experience taught him two key lessons</a>: always trust your gut and avoid founders who refuse to adapt.
He previously highlighted that failure is part of investing, but stubborn entrepreneurs and ignored intuition often lead to the biggest losses.
Photo Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins on Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Kevin O'Leary Once Said That Business School Graduates Know Nothing Until The Real World Smacks Them, Something He Learned The Hard Way— Now He Can Spot A Winner In 15 Minutes Flat

A Reddit <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/1ba85dc/why_do_so_many_people_not_know_that_credit_cards/">post</a> from r/NoStupidQuestions revealed something eye-opening: many young adults don&#8217;t realize they have to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38299693/heres-the-gravest-error-you-can-make-with-credit-cards-like-owing-money-to-loan-sharks">pay off their credit card balances in full</a> each month to avoid interest.&nbsp;
The original poster asked, &#8220;Why do so many people not know that credit cards aren&#8217;t free money?&#8221; and the comments quickly filled with stories, confessions, and hard-earned lessons.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ignorance Or Lack Of Exposure And Education</h2>
Hundreds of commenters shared that they had never been taught how credit cards work, and that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/partner/general/24/04/38247184/americans-are-severely-lacking-in-financial-literacy-intuit-launches-program-to-help-change-that-">financial literacy</a> wasn&#8217;t part of their education at home or in school. As one person said, &#8220;My mom worked all the time and I was a latchkey kid. She never had time to teach me anything. I know to pay it in full now but I was never taught how to handle money. If I knew then even half of what I know now I would be in a much better place.&#8221;
Another said they thought credit cards worked like a car loan: pay the minimum each month and eventually it&#8217;s paid off. They don't understand that interest piles on unless you pay in full.
Some admitted they once believed credit cards were basically free money. One wrote, &#8220;No one taught me or prepared me for it. I was racking up a bill and paying off the minimum amount and had no idea what interest was and was stuck in it for a long time.&#8221;
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Many pointed out that young adults are often offered credit cards the moment they turn 18, without understanding the consequences. &#8220;When I was in college, banks would set up a desk in the student center, usually staffed by attractive young women, and sign students up for credit cards,&#8221; one commenter shared. &#8220;They had a low minimum payment for as long as you were in school. Imagine handing a 19-year-old a piece of plastic and saying &#8216;Spend as much as you want and only pay $15/month.'&#8221;
Others shared that financial lessons, if taught, came too early. &#8220;At my school it was taught in 9th grade&#8230; four years before any of us even turned 18,&#8221; one person wrote.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Some Use Credit Cards The Right Way</h2>
Plenty of financially savvy users said they use credit cards for cashback or points but stressed the importance of paying off the full balance every month. &#8220;I get about $1,000 a year between my Amex and Amazon Prime cards,&#8221; one said. &#8220;But you MUST pay off your balance each month to make it work.&#8221;
Another added, &#8220;Think of it as basically a debit card that doesn't deduct money immediately, but you instead pay for it in one big chunk each month.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lack Of Self-Control And Financial Pressure Also Play A Role</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45596353/vincent-chan-reveals-the-five-money-habits-that-keep-people-poor-the-average-savings-rate-in-the-u-s-is-4-6">Impulse spending</a> came up frequently, not just as a result of poor education but also as a separate challenge. &#8220;If I see something I want in a store and I know I can just whip out a card and take it home there and then, it&#8217;s hard to resist,&#8221; one Redditor confessed.
Others pointed out that sometimes it&#8217;s not about irresponsibility, but necessity. &#8220;You&#8217;re in a big city and being good with your money but your partner loses her job and for a couple of months money gets ridiculously tight,&#8221; one person wrote.
While some commenters mocked the idea of anyone thinking credit cards were free money, most responses were empathetic: &#8220;Things that are obvious and common sense to an adult often aren&#8217;t actually innate behaviors, they&#8217;re learned.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;
For many, it wasn&#8217;t a lack of intelligence, but a combination of being young, under financial stress, and never having someone explain how <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45399940/warren-buffett-shows-how-patience-pays-98-of-his-160-billion-wealth-came-after-turning-65-thanks-the-power-of-compound-interest">compound interest</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45036269/as-us-credit-card-debt-soars-record-number-of-households-rely-on-minimum-payments-amid-recession-fears-and-trump-tariffs">minimum payments</a> really work.
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<li>Inspired by Uber and Airbnb &#8211; Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets &#8211; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-peter-thiel-turned-his-roth-ira-into-5-billion-and-why-accredited-investors-are-now-eyeing-this-smartphone-disruptor">with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.30/share!</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

It Seems That Many Young Adults Don't Know That Credit Cards Aren't 'Free Money.' Isn't Knowing To Pay It Off Monthly Just Common Sense?

Copart (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPRT#NASDAQ">CPRT</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 3.9% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 17.77%. Currently, Copart has a market capitalization of $46.12 billion. 
Buying $1000 In CPRT: If an investor had bought $1000 of CPRT stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,262.23 today based on a price of $47.70 for CPRT at the time of writing.
<h3>Copart's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750376718_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CPRT

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Copart Stock In The Last 5 Years

Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MLM#NYSE">MLM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 6.64% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 20.51%. Currently, Martin Marietta Materials has a market capitalization of $32.85 billion. 
Buying $100 In MLM: If an investor had bought $100 of MLM stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $256.88 today based on a price of $538.79 for MLM at the time of writing.
<h3>Martin Marietta Materials's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750375813_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Martin Marietta Materials 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Check Point Software (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.37% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.72%. Currently, Check Point Software has a market capitalization of $24.02 billion. 
Buying $1000 In CHKP: If an investor had bought $1000 of CHKP stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $10,981.40 today based on a price of $218.42 for CHKP at the time of writing.
<h3>Check Point Software's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750374912_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CHKP

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

H&amp;R Block (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HRB#NYSE">HRB</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 14.58% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 28.45%. Currently, H&amp;R Block has a market capitalization of $7.38 billion. 
Buying $1000 In HRB: If an investor had bought $1000 of HRB stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $3,607.33 today based on a price of $55.12 for HRB at the time of writing.
<h3>H&amp;R Block's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750374019_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning H&R Block Stock In The Last 5 Years

CBRE Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBRE#NYSE">CBRE</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 9.87% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 23.74%. Currently, CBRE Group has a market capitalization of $39.79 billion. 
Buying $100 In CBRE: If an investor had bought $100 of CBRE stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $288.96 today based on a price of $133.47 for CBRE at the time of writing.
<h3>CBRE Group's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750373111_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CBRE

$100 Invested In CBRE Group 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Andrenam, a startup that uses AI to analyze sonar data from undersea environments, <a href="https://www.andrenam.com/andrenam-raises-10m">said</a> Monday it raised $10 million in a seed round.&nbsp;
The seed round, which was led by First Round Capital with participation from Also Capital, Long Journey, Homebrew, the Colorado School of Mines Venture Fund, and others, closed in just 36 hours. The speed at which the venture raised the money proves just how excited tech leaders are about this new form of defensive innovation, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-alum-founded-andrenam-raises-seed-10-million-36-hours-2025-6">Business Insider</a> says.
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Andrenam was founded in 2024 by Matej Cernosek, a former SpaceX engineer, and Alex Chu, a former software engineer at real estate platform Qualia. "Our vision is to secure the oceans. We&#8217;re doing that by building a distributed sensing network — a sonar mesh,&#8221; Cernosek told Business Insider.&nbsp;
Sonar equipment has long been used to map the ocean and maritime threats, but thus far, the data processing has been done manually. "It&#8217;s been people in these shacks that have headphones on, looking at a fuzzy screen and analyzing data coming to them in mass,&#8221; Cernosek told Business Insider. "We really want to vertically integrate the solution."&nbsp;
Up to this point, Andrenam has been purchasing existing hydrophones and pairing them with its new software. However, its ultimate goal is to build its own buoys equipped with its unique technology, which will help lower costs.
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To do this, the company intends to grow its current eight-person team, comprised of engineers from SpaceX, Palantir (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), Anduril, and Saronic, into a 16-person unit. More manpower will allow it to develop the machine-learning-powered software more quickly.&nbsp;
Meka Asonye, a partner at First Round Capital, told Business Insider that after seeing Andrenam's pitch deck, he hopped on a flight to meet with the team that same weekend. "Oftentimes these early-stage companies are drawing things on a napkin, and they&#8217;re years and years away from being ready,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The Andrenam team is actually deploying stuff off the coast of California, and the technology already works.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
Investors like Asonye are drawn to defense tech companies like Andrenam that have potential for both private and public sector customers, Business Insider said.&nbsp;
For Cernosek, the motivation to build a defense tech company is much more personal. His family immigrated from former Czechoslovakia during communist rule, finding a better life in the U.S. "We live in the best country in the world, and this country has done very well for my family — my parents came here with $60 in their pocket,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I want to build a generational company that will have a massive impact for the United States.&#8221;
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Image: Shutterstock

PLTR

Andrenam, A SpaceX Alumni-Founded Startup, Raises $10 Million in 36 Hours

Brinker International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EAT#NYSE">EAT</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 1.65% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.0%. Currently, Brinker International has a market capitalization of $7.93 billion. 
Buying $100 In EAT: If an investor had bought $100 of EAT stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $673.72 today based on a price of $178.31 for EAT at the time of writing.
<h3>Brinker International's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1750372212_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Brinker International 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

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